India Chosen as Vice-Chair of Indo-Pacific Supply Chain Council

By siliconindia  |  Wednesday, 31 July 2024, 02:33:16 PM IST

India Chosen as Vice-Chair of Indo-Pacific Supply Chain Council
In a noteworthy development, India has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the Supply Chain Council by the 14 partner countries of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), the Commerce and Industry Ministry announced. This move is part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Agreement aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience, especially as the global economy seeks alternatives to China for manufacturing.
The inaugural virtual meetings of the newly established Supply Chain Council (SCC), Crisis Response Network (CRN), and Labor Rights Advisory Board (LRAB) marked a significant step towards bolstering economic cooperation among IPEF partners. These meetings underscored the partners' commitment to enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of critical supply chains, while also focusing on labor rights.
India is expected to play a pivotal role in developing a resilient supply chain in the Indo-Pacific region. In June 2024, during the IPEF Ministerial meeting in Singapore, Sunil Barthwal, Secretary of the Department of Commerce, emphasized India's goal to become a major player in the global supply chain, leveraging its skilled workforce, natural resources, and supportive policies.
The IPEF partners have established three key bodies: the Supply Chain Council, tasked with strengthening critical supply chains; the Crisis Response Network, designed to address emergency disruptions; and the Labor Rights Advisory Board, aimed at enhancing labor rights and workforce development. 
India shared its perspectives on the importance of a resilient supply chain network and highlighted ongoing consultations with stakeholders on crucial sectors. The emphasis was on collaboration in skill development to address gaps and ensure the right skills are available across economies, including technical assistance for workforce development and digitalization.
During the meetings, leadership positions for each of the three bodies were elected for a two-year term. The elected leaders are: USA (Chair) and India (Vice Chair) for the Supply Chain Council; Republic of Korea (Chair) and Japan (Vice Chair) for the Crisis Response Network; and USA (Chair) and Fiji (Vice Chair) for the Labor Rights Advisory Board.
The Supply Chain Council adopted its Terms of Reference and discussed initial work priorities, which will be further explored at its first in-person meeting in Washington, D.C. in September 2024. The Crisis Response Network also planned its first in-person meeting and discussed priorities, including conducting a tabletop exercise. The Labor Rights Advisory Board focused on strengthening labor rights within IPEF supply chains and discussed labor provisions in the IPEF Clean Economy and Fair Economy Agreements.
The IPEF partners emphasized the importance of the upcoming in-person meeting in Washington, D.C. in September 2024.
Launched on May 23, 2022, in Tokyo, the IPEF includes 14 partner countries: Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the USA. The framework aims to enhance economic engagement and cooperation among its members, promoting growth, stability, and prosperity in the region.

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